BELGAUM: Stepping up their protest against the demolition of hutments belonging to Kannadigas at Baina beach in Vasco, members of the Kannada Rakshan Vedike (KRV) burnt an effigy of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in Gokak-Belgaum on Friday.
Resentment has been brewing in north Karnataka regarding the eviction of the Kannadigas at Baina beach, as various organizations in the region are protesting against the action by Goan authorities and are demanding proper rehabilitation of the residents who have been displaced.
“All the residents, who are residing at Baina beach since the last 25 years, are the legitimate citizens of Goa and hold proper documents like ration cards, voting ID, etc. Politicians use them during elections, but when they are in trouble, no one seems to be interested in helping them,” stated KRV Gokak taluka President Basavraj Khanappannavar.
Khanappannavar informed that the KRV will also file a PIL in an appropriate court to safeguard the interests of Kannadigas in Goa.
KRV has also urged Governor Margaret Alva, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shripad Naik and other leaders to pressurize Parrikar against the action being initiated against Kannadigas in Goa. KRV has also urged Kannadigas to protest for their rights and extended their support for the cause.
Meanwhile, Khanapur CPI Shekarappa who was in Baina earlier this week on the direction of Belgaum SP Dr Chandragupta interacted with the Kannadigas in Baina and has submitted a report to the Superintendent of Police at Belgaum.
“I interacted with the residents and recorded their statements and have submitted a report to Belgaum SP, who has forwarded it to the Karnataka government,” said CPI Shekarappa.
Meanwhile, protests against eviction of Kannadigas were reported from different parts of north Karnataka including places like Bijapur, Gulbarga, Bangalore and Dharwad.
